Fall 2004
This is the home site for Political Science 580,
Methods of Political Inquiry, at the
University of Arizona.
These pages contain current
announcements
as well as a full description of all
required assignments,
and an outline of the topics and readings constituting the
syllabus.
There are also links to other
resources on the web.
Course Description
Political Science 580,
Methods of Political Inquiry,
aims to provide graduate students with a comprehensive introduction to
the methodology of political research. It is useful to identify three
classes or levels of methods as comprising the subject matter of this
course. At the most general level there are fundamental assumptions
about the nature of human behavior and the methods adopted to investigate
and explain that behavior. This level is frequently referred to as
epistemology or philosophy of social science. Secondly, there are the
specific procedures or techniques utilized in carrying out a given
research project such as drawing a probability sample of appropriate
proportions, constructing a survey questionnaire, or calculating a
correlation coefficient. Finally, there is a level of method that resides
midway between specific techniques and general principles. Among these
midrange methods are such tasks as formulating concepts and hypotheses,
developing valid measurement procedures, designing true or
quasi-experiments, and so forth.
The seminar begins with consideration of the epistemological
foundations of science in general, then narrows to focus on epistemological
issues especially relevant to the social sciences and political science.
Next we turn to the more concrete principles and procedures of research
design by reading methodology texts and by critically assessing published
political research. Finally the entire second half of the semester will be
devoted to the actual design and execution of group research projects.
